Positive covid-19 case spurs remote learning for St. Louise de Marillac first-graders in Upper St. Clair

The first-grade classes at St. Louise de Marillac Catholic School in Upper St. Clair will move to a fully remote learning model after someone tested positive for covid-19, officials announced Saturday.

The move affects the three classes that make up the first grade.

Students will use a virtual instructional model for at least a week, from Dec. 1-8.

School leaders said a positive covid-19 case was reported to them on Nov. 24 and that it was a person “associated with the class.”

Families will be updated throughout the week.

“St. Louise de Marrilac continues to meet or exceed all diocesan, local, state and federal public health and safety directives including mask-wearing, social distancing and cleaning and sanitizing protocols,” Principal Ken Klase told families in a release.

“The health and safety of our students and faculty is the number one focus during the pandemic while still providing a solid academic program.”

In mid-October, the Catholic Diocese suspended the school’s football program and eighth-grade homeroom after two people tested positive for covid-19.

At that time, 23 homeroom students and nearly 50 people involved with the football program quarantined for 14 days.

That same week, the entire school was closed temporarily after a third positive test. That number grew to at least six people and the closure was extended through mid-November.